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Press Publishing Association
SENIOR
DIVISION
SECOND
QUARTER
APRIL
TO JUNE, 1914
TO
EPISTLE
ROMANS
THE
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USE "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"
As a Lesson Help
FOUR
hundred and one pages of "Acts of the Apostles" are •
devoted to the life and work of the apostle Paul, and sixty-six
of those pages relate to his experiences in Rome. Some of the
chapter titles under which these more than four hundred pages
appear are:
From Persecutor to Disciple, Days of Preparation, Preaching
Among the Heathen, Jew and Gentile, In the Regions Beyond,
Thessalonica, Berea and Athens, Corinth, The Thessalonian Let-
ters, A Liberal Church, A Consecrated Ministry, Paul's Last
Journey to Jerusalem, "Almost Thou Persuadest Me," In
Rome, Caesar's Household, Written from Rome, The Final Ar-
rest, Paul Before Nero, Paul's Last Letter, Condemned to Die
From the foregoing partial list of subjects it will be seen at
once how helpful this book will be to the student of the present
series of lessons. Bound in cloth, $1.50; limp leather, $2.00.
Prices 10% higher in Canada. Address your tract society.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSONS
ON THE
EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
SENIOR DIVISION
SECOND QUARTER, 1914
LESSON I — Righteousness, but How?
APRIL 4, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
The apostle's desire;
gnes. 1-3;
the ignorance of the people
notes 1,2
Monday
Righteousness by faith
Ques. 4-11;
notes 3-5
Tuesday
"Whosoever"—"How shall they
hear?"
•
fines. 12-16
Wednesday
Old Testament comments
lines. 17-20;
notes 6,7
Thursday
Review of the lesson
Friday
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
ROManS 10.
Questions
1, What was the apostle's desire and prayer for his
people ? Verse 1. Note 1.
2.
To what did he bear witness? Verse 2.
3.
Of what were they ignorant? Whose righteous-
ness did they seek to establish? Verse 3. Note 2.
4.
What is the object of the law? Verse 4. Note 3.
5.
What will come to the man who perfectly obeys
the law ? Verse 5.
6.
How many have now, through perfect obedience,
this right to live ? Rom. 3 : 23.
4
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
7.
What does the righteousness by faith admonish
not to say ? Rom. 10 : 6, 7. Note 4.
8.
What does righteousness by faith say? Verse 8.
9.
What is necessary to salvation ? Verse 9.
10.
What will faith and confession bring? Verse
10. Note 5.
11.
Who will not be put to shame? Verse 11.
12.
What is said about distinction between men and
races ? What shows the equality of all before God ?
Verses 12, 13.
13.
What pertinent questions does the apostle ask?
Verse 14 and first clause of verse 15.
14.
What is said of those who preach the good ti-
dings ? Verse 15.
15.
Do all accept the glad message ? Verse 16.
16.
Upon what is faith based? Verse 17.
17.
How many have heard this gospel message ?
Verse 18. Note 6.
18.
What effort was put forth to arouse them ? What
prophecy of the Gentiles is mentioned? Verse 19.
19.
What prediction of the Gentiles is quoted from
Isaiah? Verse 20. Note 7.
20.
But what did God say of those who sought to
establish their own righteousness ? Verse 21.
Notes
1. "My . . . prayer."- Notwithstanding that the Jews re-
jected our Lord and persecuted His servants, Paul knew that many
of them, even in their persecution of God's people, had real zeal
for God, but they did it ignorantly. Had they known, they would
not have crucified the Lord's Christ. Acts 3:17; 1 Cor. 2:8.
Paul, remembering his own misguided experience, could pray ear-
nestly for them. We do not see as God sees. Men of whom we
feel hopeless, may be on the very eve of turning to God. The
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
5
Revised Version reads, "zeal
for
God," in verse 2, instead of
"zeal
of
God."
2.
"Establish their own righteousness."—
That is what
every one tries to do who does not know God, who has not by
revelation (Matt. 16:17) seen God, or who forgets His infinite
holiness. He who holds ever in view the righteousness of God,
will abhor himself and honor God. The gospel places the glory
of man in the dust and exalts Jesus Christ.
3.
"End of the law."—
The word "end" in this text means
aim
or
object,
as in James 5:11. The aim, or
object,
of the law
is to bring men to Christ. It shuts man in the prison-house of
sin with but one door, Christ. It, like a hard master, leads or
drives the sinner to Christ as the only source of righteousness.
Rom. 7:7, 24, 25; Gal. 3:23, 24. Then in Christ the righteous-
ness, the requirement, of the law is fulfilled in those who walk
after the Spirit. Rom. 8:4. Faith in Christ, we have learned,
establishes the law in the heart.
4.
Righteousness by faith
is personified and made to speak
for itself.
It
does not demand that man shall do great things by
which he will take glory to himself. Man is not to descend into
the deep, nor must he climb up to heaven; all he needs to do is
to yield himself, and believe in Christ Jesus, who has come down
to him. Thus it was in the days of Moses. They did not need
to climb up to the serpent, but "look and live." Thus it is now.
Jesus the Lord, the Saviour, has come down to us. Open the
heart, and let faith see Him there. And it is all in the word
which faith brings, with its cleansing power, within the heart.
5.
"Unto righteousness."—
There is much belief which
merely accepts facts and no more. Faith accepts righteousness,
reaches to it, makes it its own. The faith which stops short of
righteousness is a failure.
6.
"Their sound."—
The voice of God speaking through His
works; for the quotation is from Ps. 19:4. Sometimes He speaks
in dread majesty, sometimes in marvelous wisdom, sometimes in
the terrible tempest, in the soft-breathing night breezes, in the
mighty oak, in the tiny floweret, in all the wonders of the jeweled
dome above us. In a thousand different ways is proclaimed to
the thoughtful, longing heart the power, the wisdom, and the
love of God. There has always been light enough to lead to God,
and there is sufficient potency in one ray to save the soul who
receives and follows the light.
7.
"I
was found of them that sought Me not."—
All
through God's work with Israel, He desired to make them instru-
ments of salvation to the nations. He placed them in the center
of civilization, in the highway of the nations, that they might
6
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
minister light to the peoples of earth. He taught them this in
object-lesson, in precept, in psalm, in prophecy. But all these
blessings they took to themselves, and perverted them into curses.
We hold our blessings only by using them for others.
Supplementary Questions for Home Study
1.
Should we place any one outside of God's limit
and power to reach and -save? For hgw many, then,
should we pray?
2.
In the light of this lesson, can we prosper spir-
itually and not bear witness for God?
LESSON II — Election by Grace
APRIL 11, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
"God bath not cast away His
Ques. 1-5;
People"
note 1
Monday
A disappointment; why some
Ques. 6-9;
were hardened
notes 2,3
Tuesday
Israel's fall; salvation to the
Ques. 10-13;
Gentiles
notes 4-6
Wednesday
Branches broken off; "grafted
Ques. 14-18;
in"
note 7
Thursday
Review of the lesson
Friday
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Rom. 11:1-18.
Questions
1.
What proof did the apostle give that God had not
cast off His people? Verse 1. Note 1.
2.
What further proof does he cite ? Verse 2.
3.
How did Elijah feel? Verse 3.
4.
What assurance did God give His servant 7
Verse 4.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
7
5.
What conclusion does the apostle draw from
these instances? Verse 5.
6.
But by what alone is this election ? Verse 6.
7.
What disappointment must necessarily come to
Israel, who sought righteousness by works? Verse 7,
first part. Note 2.
8.
Who did obtain the righteousness they sought ?
Verse 7, last part.
•
9. Why were the rest blinded or hardened? Verse
8. Note 3.
10.
Of what were they worthy? Verses 9, 10. Note 4.
11.
What question does the apostle ask? What an-
swer is given? Verse 11, first part.
12.
What good thing came through their stumbling?
For what purpose as regards Israel ? Verse 11, last
part. Note 5.
13.
From what condition of Israel is most gained ?
Verse 12. Note 6.
14.
To whom, and why, is the apostle thus writing?
Verses 13, 14.
15.
What comparison is drawn between the casting
away and the receiving of the Hebrew people ? Verse 15.
16.
What proofs are given of character? Verse 16.
17.
How did the Gentiles come in ? What blessings
thus came to them ? Verse 17. Note 7.
18.
What reason is given to show us we have no
right to boast or glory? Verse 18.
Notes
1. "I also."- Paul was in his own experience a demonstration
that God had not cast away the Jews from salvation. For if
God could pardon Paul, who was a persecutor and blasphemer,
He could pardon all who came to Him; for He is "no respecter
of persons."
8
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
2.
"Israel hath not; . . . the election hath."—
Israel
sought righteousness by works. But how could they obtain it, for
all their works fell short of God's glory. Faith in the free grace
of God was wanting. The election obtained righteousness, be-
cause they chose it, chose God's grace, God's righteousness in
their behalf, chose all for which He had chosen them.
3.
"Blinded."—
Better "hardened," as in the margin. They
were hardened because they would not accept God's way, and
God let them have their own way.
4.
"Let."—
As they are determined to walk in their own way,
let them have it, let them have all the fruitage thereof. All the
things mentioned are the legitimate fruit and consequences of
their own choice.
5.
"Their fall."—
Not their destruction as individuals, but
their separation from God, their setting aside, as a special people.
Christ had come. The true Israel — the Jew — was of the spiri-
tual seed alone. See Rom. 2:28, 29; 9:6-8. "The leaders in the
Jewish nation had signally failed of fulfilling God's purpose for
His chosen people. Those whom the Lord had made the deposi-
taries of truth had proved unfaithful to their trust, and God
chose others to dO His
work."—"The Acts of the Apostles,"
pages 78, 79.
But though cast off in their national capacity, God eagerly
longed that they as individuals should come into the fold through
Christ.
6.
"The fall . . . their fulness."—
God would have used
the nation of Israel to enlighten the world in the fullest sense
if they had yielded fully to Him; but when their whole effort
and thought was for themselves, they held the world back from
the riches of God's grace entrusted to them. Their fall as a
nation, and the proclamation of the gospel to all alike, opened
to the world the infinite riches of God's grace. But even greater
blessings would have been given if they had yielded all, so. that
God could have used them as a positive force in the work of
carrying the gospel.
7.
"Partakest of the Root."—
The Root of the holiness is
Christ. If branches will not partake of His life, they die, or
are cut off. As is the character of the source, so is that which
it produces. The lump evidently refers to the loaves offered when
Israel entered the land. See Num. 15:18-21. We must not lose
sight of the fact that the term "Israel" is used in its twofold
aspect. The Jews used it in its literal, fleshly, national aspect,
and many Christian expositors do still. Paul recognized this, but
his effort was to show to them that only Israel by faith was ac-
ceptable to God. So Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the fathers —
obtained the blessings and the promise by faith. Therefore when
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
9
the people as a nation were set aside, the individuals were not.
God had better things for them in a "fulness" not earthly, but
heavenly.
Supplementary Questions for • Home Study
1.
Which class grasps salvation, the mass or the
remnant ?
2.
What proves that there was salvation for all in
Elijah's time? What proves the same of Paul's day ?
3.
When did Israel settle her fate as a nation?
4.
What Israel still survives?
LESSON III —"The Fulness" of Jew and Gentile
APRIL 18, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
Admonition to the Gentiles
Hiles. 1-5;
note 1
Monday
The natural branches grafted in
Hues. 6-9;
again
note 2
Tuesday
How all the true Israel shall be
Hues. 10-13;
saved
notes 3, 4
Wednesday
God's mercy upon all
Ques. 14-17;
notes 5-7
Thursday
The all-sufficiency of God
Ques. 18, 19;
Friday
Review of the lesson
notes 8, 9
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Rom. 11:19-36.
Questions
1.
What would the converted Gentiles be likely to
say regarding their union with God? Verse 19.
2.
Why were the Hebrew branches broken off
?
How
did the Gentile Christian stand? What spirit should
he manifest? Verse 20.
3.
What solemn admonition is then given? Verse 21.
10
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
4.
What does the apostle ask us to behold ? Verse
22, first part. On whom was his severity manifest?
Second part.
5.
Toward whom was goodness exercised On what
conditions? Verse 22, last part. Note 1.
6.
What will be done to those who through unbelief
have been cut off, if they believe? Verse 23.
7.
What comparison does the apostle draw ? Verse
24. Note 2.
8.
Of what would he not have them ignorant ? Why ?
Verse 25, first part.
9.
What is the mystery? Verse 25, last part.
10.
In whom did the Hebrews find fulness? John
1 : 16.
11.
In whom do the Gentiles find fulness ? Col. 2 :
9, 10. Note 3.
12.
What will be the result of this experience ? Rom.
11: 26, first part. What prophecy will thus be fulfilled?
Verse 26, last part. Note 4.
13.
What covenant included this full salvation ?
Verse 27. Compare Heb. 8: 10-12.
14.
What seemingly contradictory statement does the
apostle make concerning the children of Israel ? Verse
28. Note 5.
15.
Whk assurance is given concerning the gifts and
calling of God? Verse 29. Note 6.
16.
What should the believing Gentiles know ?
Verses 30, 31.
17.
What has God done to all? Why ? Verse 32.
Note 7.
18.
What is said of God's wisdom and knowledge ?
Verse 33. Note 8.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
11
19. In what is His all-sufficiency shown ? Verses
34-36. Note 9.
Notes
1.
"Behold therefore the goodness."— There is goodness
in God's severity. It cut off the Jews as a nation. It did not
cut off a single Jew as an individual. If he would not believe,
he remained in condemnation. His name as Israel, with the char-
acter of a sinner, would not save him. But the severity against
those who fell in a national way opened in an equal way to every
one the goodness and mercy of God, where "there is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free."
2.
"Contrary to nature."— According to nature the fruit
borne is that of the scion, the engrafted piece, not the root; but
contrary to nature, the scion itself becomes changed, and the
root indicates the character of the fruit. The Root of Israel is
Christ Jesus. The Gentile is a wild olive-branch. But the fruit
is of the Root, not the branch.
3.
"The fulness."— This term has been greatly perverted.
It has been made to mean the conversion of the Jews and their
restoration as a nation in the last days. But if the fulness applies
to Jews or Gentiles as persons, it must include every one, and we
know that not all of either class will be converted. The simple
Scripture truth is much clearer. The fulness is that which sup-
plies all needs. To the Jew it was offered in Christ Jesus. And
of Him John says, "Of His fulness have all we received, and
grace upon grace." "For it pleased the Father that in Him
should all fulness dwell." Col. 1:19. There every believing Jew
found it. But addressing the Gentile Christians, Paul said, "In
Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him
ye are made full." Col. 2:9, 10, R.V. The fulness of Jew and
Gentile is in Christ Jesus our Lord; and the blindness, or hard-
ness, happened to Israel until all the covenant blessings in Christ
were offered to the Gentiles.
4.
"And so."— That is, by faith in Christ, the Fulness, shall
Israel be saved. "Thou [the Gentile convert] standest by faith,"
and the Jews will stand also if they abide not in unbelief in
Christ the Fulness. And therefore there shall come "out of Zion
the Deliverer." Only in the Deliverer can fulness of blessing
be found.
5.
"Enemies . . . beloved."—Looked upon as a whole, as
a nation, the Israelites were excluded, east off for the sake of all
others; but they are beloved still for the sake of the covenants
made with the fathers.
6.
"Without repentance."—God does not repent of the
good He has done. Man may misuse His gifts, despise His good-
12
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
ness, yet Infinite Love will not repent that He bestowed that love.
For God loves mankind, not because it is lovable, but because
He is love; and "we love, because He first loved us."
7.
"All . . . all."— And God has done this because Infinite
Wisdom knew that only in His mercy was there hope for man.
Man may fix up ten thousand schemes by which it is thought he
singly or unitedly may save himself, but all his efforts will prove
futile. All are in unbelief, for all have sinned, and He in His
goodness proffers mercy unto eternal salvation to all.
8.
"Riches, . . . wisdom, . • . knowledge."—In the
fulness of God rests our hope, not in the hoped-for sufficiency of
ourselves.
9.
Of Him in their origin, through Him in their disposal,
unto Him that all His purposes may be fulfilled to His glory.
It would seem that the apostle was carried away with God's mar-
velous plan of saving man, as he closes this doctrinal part of this
marvelous epistle. The grace of Christ, given in God's wisdom,
love, and power, meets all man's needs, solves all perplexities,
works for man's eternal good, and redounds to the praise and
glory of God.
LESSON IV — A Living Sacrifice
APRIL 25, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
An appeal
Ques. 1-5;
notes 1-5
Monday
Members of one body
Ques. 6-9;
notes 6,7
Tuesday
How and why the gifts are given
Ques. 10, 11;
note 8
Wednesday
The gifts; their order; how ex-
ques.12-16;
ercised
notes 9,10
Thursday
Review of the lesson
Friday
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Rom. 12:1-8.
LESSON HELPS: 1 Corinthians 12; Eph. 4:7, 8, 11, 12.
Questions
1.
By what does the apostle beseech his brethren ?
Verse 1, first clause. Note 1.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
13
2.
What does he plead with them to do? Verse 1,
last part. Note 2.
3.
To what should we riot be conformed ? Verse 2,
first clause. Note 3.
4.
How should we be transformed? Verse 2, second
clause. Note 4.
5.
What will we thus prove? Verse 2, last clause.
Note 5.
6: How should a man not think of himself ? Verse
3, first part. Note 6.
7.
How should he think of himself? Verse 3, last
part.
8.
Of what are we members? Verses 4, 5. Note 7.
9.
How do we become members of His body? 1 Cor.
12 : 13.
10.
How are gifts bestowed? Rom. 12 : 6 ; 1 Cor.
12 : 11.
11.
For what purposes are they bestowed? Eph.
4:11, 12. Note 8.
12.
What gifts are mentioned in our lesson? Rom.
12 : 6-8.
13.
In what order does the apostle elsewhere pre-
sent these gifts ? 1 Cor. 12 : 28.
14.
Of what gift are all recipients? Rom. 12 : 7,
first clause. Note 9.
15.
How should these gifts be exercised? See
verses 6-8. Note 10.
Notes
1. "Therefore."— In view of all God's mercies, as set forth
in all that has gone before. All the wonderful doctrinal teaching
set forth is nothing unless it is revealed in the life. As Chrys-
ostom remarks, it is as though Paul "brought the Benefactor
Himself to supplicate."
14
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
2.
"Present."—"
The verb used is the regular word used for
bringing to offer in sacrifice."
"Your bodies."—"The
body is the organ of practical ac-
tivity, which practical activity is to be dedicated to God; better
still, as an indication that the sanctification of Christian life is
to extend to that part of man's nature which is more completely
under the bondage of sin."—
Alford.
"A living sacrifice."—
In contrast to the offerings of beasts
which were slain. The beast could be offered but onceb; the body
is a continual sacrifice, denying itself all the evil tendencies and
lusts, and serving God positively.
"Reasonable."—Logical,
spiritual. It is rendered both.
3.
"Conformed."—
Shaped, molded from without.
4.
"Transformed."—"
Transfigured," molded from within.
The world molds us for death; under the creative power of God,
we grow into His image.
5.
"Good, and acceptable, and perfect"
does not apply to
the will of God — that can not be otherwise — but that we in
ourselves may prove "what is the will of God, namely, that which
is good and well-pleasing in Him, and perfect."
6.
"Not to think of himself more highly,"
etc.— A proper
abiding conception of the gifts of God's Spirit, or spiritual gifts,
would prevent an undue estimate of our own power and ability,
and foster humility, and would also keep us from becoming wor-
shipers of men. "There is a play on the words here in the orig-
inal, which can only be clumsily conveyed in another language:
`not to be high-minded above that which he ought to be minded,
but to be so minded as to be sober-minded.' "—
Alford.
7.
"One body."—
Christ is the Head (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col.
1:18), and, of course, believers are members one of another;
"for by one Spirit are we all baptized into the one body." 1 Cor.
12:13. So should we ever regard each other.
8.
"Gifts."—
Read 1 Corinthians 12; Eph. 4:7-12;
and
the
parable of the talents in Matthew 25 and that of the pounds in
Luke 19. We will learn, from these scriptures, that the gifts
were bestowed upon the church by our Lord through the Spirit
when He ascended; that gifts are bestowed upon all; that they
are given for His people to improve and to profit by in the upbuild-
ing of the church and the work of the ministry; that they are
given as God wills — not as man wills; that they are to remain
in the church till our Lord's return; that then all will have to
account for their use. These gifts are very precious, and our
Lord likens them to highest denominations of money in the Jew-
ish and Roman systems.
9.
"Ministry."—
Service. All who can accept Christ
can
minister
for, or serve, Him; for ministry means service. And
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
15
ministry for Christ is to serve not as we choose, but as He directs.
Thus serving, the lowliest tasks become glorified.
10. "With simplicity."— Better, ''with liberality," or "lib-
erally." "With cheerfulness."—"It is in exhibiting compas-
sion, which is often the compulsory work of one obeying his con-
science rather than the spontaneous effusion of love, that cheer-
fulness is so peculiarly required, and so frequently wanting."—
Alf ord.
How do you answer the offending one
;
who has apologized
or who asks forgiveness? Do you
cheer fully
say, I freely and
fully forgive? or does your very manner imply that in your heart
you condemn?
Supplementary Questions for Home Study
1.
How many spiritual gifts are named in the New
Testament?
2.
Which is placed first? Which second?
3.
To what member of the physical man may the
gift of prophecy be likened?
4.
According to what are the gifts bestowed? Matt.
25:15.
5.
Are the gifts natural, or supernatural? What is
the difference between the "gift" and the "ability"?
LESSON V — Practical Duties and Privileges
MAY 2, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
Love one another
Ques. 1-4;
notes 1, 2
Monday
Profitable admonitions
Ques. 5-9;
notes 3, 4
Tuesday
Our relation to others
lames. 10-14;
note 5
Wednesday
Treatment of enemies
Ques. 15-1S;
notes 6, 7
Thursday
Review of the lesson
Friday
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE : Rom. 12:9-21.
16
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
Questions
1.
How should love be exercised ? Verse 9, first
part. Note 1.
2.
What should we abhor ? Verse 9, second part.
3.
To what should we cleave? Verse 9, last part.
4.
How should we regard each other? Verse 10.
Note 2.
5.
How diligent should we be ? Verse 11, first part.
Note 3.
6.
What disposition should we manifest in the Lord's
service ? Verse 11, last part.
7.
What profitable injunctions are next given?
Verse 12.
8.
How should others be remembered ? Verse 13.
Note 4.
9.
How should we regard our enemies? Verse 14;
Matt. 5 : 44.
•
1.0. How should we join others in their experiences?
Rom. 12 : 15.
11.
What should be our general course of conduct ?
Verse 16.
12.
What course should we not pursue toward those
who wrong us ? Verse 17, first part.
13.
What example should we set ? Verse 17, last
part.
14.
How should we live with others? Verse 18.
Note 5.
15.
What should we not seek to do for ourselves ?
Verse 19, first part. Note 6.
16.
To whom should we commit our cause ? Verse
19, last part.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
17
17.
How should we treat an enemy? Verse 20.
18.
By what should we not be overcome ? How may
we overcome? Verse 21. Note 7.
Notes
1.
"Without dissimilation."— The Revised Version reads,
"Let love be without hypocrisy." In other words, let it not be
pretense. Let it come from the heart, born of God, "shed abroad"
by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 5:5.
2.
"Kindly affectioned."— The word in the original is that
used for affection toward near relatives. Alford renders the text,
":In love of the brethren be affectionate one to another; in giving
honor, outdoing one another." ''Not waiting to be loved by
another, but thyself spring forward to the act, and make the be-
ginning."
3.
"Not slothful."—"In diligence, not slothful."—
Alford.
It pertains first of all to the Lord's business; and yet all the
Christian's business ought to be the Lord's business. Whether it
be raising corn, or building houses
'
or keeping books, he should
be doing all for God, under whose all-searching eye all work must
come at last. We can not do God's business for Him and ours for
ourselves; all should be for God. How can we understand other-
wise "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with -all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength"? But how far short we come! We will find when we
plan for God, He will plan for us.
'4.. "Given to hospitality."— Alford says, "This is but a
feeble rendering of the original, which is pursuing, making ear-
nestly a point of hospitality." Chrysostom says, "He does not
say
practising,
but
pursuing,
teaching us not to wait for those
that are in need, but rather to run after them and track them out."
5.
"Live peaceably."— It may not be possible, but it must
not be our fault. As much as depends upon us, we should live in
peace. "Follow peace with all." Heb. 12:14; Rom. 14:19. We
may always have peace with God. Rom. 5:1.
6.
"Give place unto the wrath of God," R.V.— We should
leave all avenging of wrongs with God. He knows all motives.
He will deal justly — that which man can never do in his wrath.
Of Jesus it is said that He "committed His cause to Him that
judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:23, margin.
7.
"By evil."— The Christian's weapons, motives, purposes,
are not retaliation, not to destroy. He is to return good for evil,
sweetness for the bitter. He will find that such things will be
more effective for good than it would be to heap coals of fire
18
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
on the head of an enemy. In his own life he is to fight the evil
by filling the thoughts, the heart, the life, with God. We never
put away evil, never overcome evil, by dwelling upon it. "Fill
our hearts with Thy love, that there may be no room for com-
peting affections," is a good prayer.
Supplementary Questions for Home Study
1.
How can the natural heart be made to abhor evil ?
2.
Can a Christian disconnect his business from his
religion ?
3.
How may we continue instant, or steadfast, in
prayer?
4.
Will a true Christian endeavor to "get even"
with an enemy?
LESSON VI—Duty Toward Governments; Last-
Day Warnings
MAY 9, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
Our duty fo civil authority
Ques. 1-6;
notes 1-3
Monday
The function of rulers;
paying
Ques. 7-9;
tribute
notes 4, 5
Tuesday
Fulfilling the law
Ques. 10-13;
notes 6, 7
Wednesday
Understanding "the time"
Ques. 14-19;
notes
8,
9
Thursday
Review of the lesson
Friday
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Romans 13.
Questions
1. To what should every soul be subject? Verse 1,
first part. Note 1.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
19
2. From whom proceeds all power? Verse 1, last
part.
3. What is said of those who resist civil authority ?
Verse 2.
4. To what are rulers a terror? Verse 3, first part.
Note 2.
5. What then is the proper course to pursue? Verse
3, last part.
6. What is the ruler in his proper sphere? Verse 4.
Compare Jer. 27: 6, first part. Note 3.
7. What motive should impel the Christian to right
actions? Rom. 13 : 5; 1 Peter 2:13. Note 4.
8. What further duties do we owe these .powers?
Rom. 13:6.
9. What therefore should we render? Verse 7.
Note 5.
10. What obligation only is it wise to assume? Of
what is love the fulfilling? Verse 8. Note 6.
11. What general summary is given of the law in
reference to our duties to our fellows? Verse 9.
12. What does love not do? Verse 10, first part.
13. In what therefore is love summed up? Verse
10, last part. Compare John 14: 15; 15: 10; 1 John
5 : 3. Note 7.
14. What should God's children know in these days ?
Rom. 13: 11, first part. Note 8.
15. Why should this knowledge stir them? Verse
11, last part.
16. What is said of the time? Verse 12, first part.
17. What should we cast off, and what put on?
Verse 12, last part.
20
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
18.
How should we walk? Verse 13. Compare 1
Thess. 5 : 4, 5 ; Luke 21: 34. Note 9.
19.
What injunction includes all duties? Rom.
13 : 14.
Notes
1.
"Be subject."—Be cheerfully obedient. Neither follow
Gentile rebellions, nor imbibe the seditious spirit of the Jews;
for all authority is of God's ordaining or permission. ''His pre-
cepts regard an established power, be what it may. It, in all
matters lawful, we are bound to bey. . . . If the civil power
commands us to violate the law of God, we must obey God before
man. . . . These distinctions must be drawn by the wisdom
granted to Christians in the varying circumstances of human
affairs. They are all only subordinate portions of the great duty
of obedience to law. . . . But even when law is hard and un-
reasonable, not disobedience, but legitimate protest, is the duty
of the Christian."—
Alford.
2.
"A •
terror."— The tendency of all proper civil power is
salutary, notwithstanding the abuses in government. It would be
a fearful world if there were not civil, organized authority. The
worst of tyrannical government is better than wild anarchy.
3.
"God's minister."— Nebuchadnezzar, even in his proud
idolatry, is called God's "servant." He may not have known it,
but he was, nevertheless, the minister of God. This has no doubt
been true of other governments. Yet apart from .God's over-
ruling guidance, they have all shown the inherent,
greed and per-
versity of fallen humanity.
4.
"Conscience' sake."— A higher motive than fear or force
actuates the Christian. His own conscience, "for the Lord's
sake," will keep him. He needs not laws to compel him or pre-
vent him, but to inform him as to what the proper authority re-
quires. So long as the authority of the government is exercised
in the sphere of civil authority, every true Christian will obey its
requirements.
5.
"Tribute."— The payment of money for the state. "Cus-
tom" is toll, or tax, on produce. "Fear" is to be exercised to-
ward those having power, set over us; and "honor" toward all
upon whom the state has conferred distinction.
6.
Dean Alford remarks: "Pay all other debts. Be indebted
in the matter of love alone. This debt increases the more, the
more it is paid, because the practise of hive makes the principle
of love deeper and more active."
7.
"Love . . . law."— Love toward God is unworthy of the
name if it will not delight to keep God's law. Love fulfils the
law by doing it willingly, gladly.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
21
8.
"Knowing the time."—Vot mere duration, but the spe-
cial, appointed season, the character of the generation and the
period in which we live, foretold by great prophecies and signs.
9.
"As in the day."— God's children are of the day. The
revelers,
the dishonest, the immoral, are of the night, and it is
toward the dawning of the morning that such a class are always
locked in deepest slumber.
Supplementary Questions for Home Study
1.
Give three examples, in the Scripture, in which
men stood for God against the decrees of government.
2.
How did Jesus distinguish between duty to God
and duty to government
3.
What is absolutely essential that we may fulfil
the law7
LESSON VII — Each to His Own Master; Judge Not
MAY 16, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
Relationship between believers
Ques. 1-5;
notes 1,2
Monday
Judge not; differences between
Ques. 6-12;
believers
notes 3-6
Tuesday
The price paid
Ques. 13-15
Wednesday
The Judgment
(Ines. 16-18;
note 7
Thursday
Review of the lesson
Friday
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE :
Rom. 14:1-12.
Questions
1.
How should we treat those weak in the faith ?
Verse 1. Note 1.
2.
What may one class in the church believe? Verse
2, first part.
22
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
3.
What might the weak-do ? Verse 2, last part.
4.
What caution is given against judging ? Verse 3.
Note 2.
5.
What rebuke is given to the one who assumes to
judge others ? Verse 4, first part.
6.
What admonition does Jesus give concerning this
matter ? Matt. 7: 1.
7.
To whom must each one stand or fall ? Rom. 14 :
4, second part.
8.
What can God do for every true child, despite
human judgment ? Verse 4, last part. Note 3.
9.
To what other differences among Christians did
the apostle refer? Verse 5, first part. Note 4.
10.
What was every man to be? Verse 5, last part.
Note 5.
11.
To whom and for whom do all serve who are
children of faith? Verse 6. Note 6.
12.
Why can we not say it is the business of no one
but ourselves what we do ? Verse 7.
13.
To whom do we live or die? To whom do we
wholly belong ? Verse 8.
14.
What price has been paid for us ? Verse 9 ;
1 Cor. 6: 19, 20.
15.
In view of the price paid for us, what pertinent
questions are asked both classes ? Rom. 14 : 10, first part.
16.
Before what tribunal shall we all stand? Verse
10, last part.
17.
What scripture is quoted in proof of this ? Verse
11.
Compare Isa. 45 : 23.
18.
Of whom and to whom shall each one give ac-
count ? Rom. 14: 12. Note 7.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
23
Notes
1.
"Weak in the faith."—
Alford suggests that this ''weak
in the faith" was probably the overscrupulous Jewish convert
afraid of meats offered to idols, or of being brought into contact
with undiscoverable uncleanness. In foreign lands he abstained
from prepared food, and ate only that which he could trace from
nature to his own use. Various ceremonial days had strong hold
upon a conscience not wholly enlightened and a faith not strong.
These converts were to be received as Christians, and their doubt-
ful thoughts not judged or condemned.
2.
"Not judge."—
The very scrupulous should not "judge"
— condemn — his brother who eats, for God has received him.
The strong in faith should not " despise"— consider as of no
account — the brother who was wavering, doubtful, perhaps over-
scrupulous.
3.
"Shall be holden up."—
Despite man's judgment, God is
able to make His children stand. One of the great, dominant
thoughts of this chapter is, Judge not.
4.
"Every day."—
By "every day" we must not conclude
that the Sabbath is included. This is guarded in the great funda-
mental law, the Decalogue, over which there can be no question.
The expression means the "every day" of the days apart from
the Sabbath, such as the Passover, day of Atonement, etc. See
Ex. 16:4, where the term "every day" is used, including only
"the six working-days." Compare Ex. 16:4, 27, 28; Eze. 46:1.
The controversy and the questionings pertained to the national
feast-days, as Passover, Pentecost, and others, which had been
celebrated as a matter of lifelong habit by the Jews. As feasts
of Levitical obligation they were no more of force after the cross,
but as national festivals they had
a
strong hold upon many among
the Jewish converts.
5.
"In his own mind."—
God holds each one responsible.
Each person must, or should, decide for himself. And this is true
in moral as well as ceremonial observances. The power of choice
is for each individual to exercise.
6.
"And he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth
not regard it" is not found in the Revised Version, not being in
the best Greek manuscripts.
7.
"Each one."—
The great Judgment-day is an individual
affair. We can not hide in the crowd, nor shield ourselves by
some one else. We must then stand alone, face to face, so to
speak, with God. He is the Lawgiver, He is the Judge. Bearing
this in mind, we shall not care to judge or despise
or
condemn
our brother. The great thought of the lesson will
be
ours,
"Judge
not,
that ye be not judged."
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
25
5.
If we have no regard for our brother's weakness,
what reproof do we merit ? Verse 15, first part.
6.
What should our liberty not do ? Verse 15, last
part.
7.
To what end should love and wisdom control our
liberty? Verse 16. Note 3.
8.
In what does the kingdom of God not consist?
What are its essentials ? Verse 17. Note 4.
9.
What may be said of the soul who possesses these
essentials of the kingdom Verse 18.
10.
What two things should we therefore pursue
Verse 19.
11.
What should we not do for the sake of food?
Verse 20, first part. Note 5.
12.
If even good things cause stumbling, what are
they to us? Verse 20, last part.
13.
What great general principle does the apostle
enunciate ? Verse 21; 1 Cor. 8 : 13.
14.
Whom alone should our faith guide or control?
Rom. 14 22, first part.
15.
Who in these matters may be accounted happy?
Verse 22, last part.
16.
What brings condemnation Why ? Verse 23.
Note 6.
Notes
1.
"Judge this rather."— Let your judging, your discern-
ment, your criticism, turn upon your own acts. If you are strong,
look beyond yourself to your weak brother. "None of us liveth
to himself, and no man dieth to himself." More than your own
desire and tastes is the soul of your weak brother. Let no act of
yours put a stumbling-block or an occasion for stumbling in his
way. See Matt. 18:6.
2.
"Nothing unclean."— The uncleanness here referred to
must, in the light of the earlier part of the chapter, have refer-
ence to ceremonial uncleanness in that mixed church of Jew and
26
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
Gentile converts. Nevertheless, if the conscience of the Christian
Jew said they were unclean, let him not violate his conscience.
To him they were unclean. Let him keep his conscience free.
3.
Your strong faith is good. Let it not justly be condemned.
4.
"Kingdom of God."—
The kingdom of God is founded
upon the eternal principles of righteousness; and from that right-
eousness, received by faith, come peace and joy in the all-control-
ling Spirit of God. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His
righteousness," are the words of Jesus. Matt. 6:33.
5.
"Destroy not"--
Destroy neither yourself in overindul-
gence, nor your neighbor by a bad example.
6.
"Because he eateth not of faith."—
Faith
has respect to
God, and centers in Him. It has respect not alone to His prom-
ises,
but to
His precepts. In all things it defers to Him, yields to
Him. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Not to
please Him is to be out of harmony with Him, and out of har-
mony with God is sin.
Supplementary Questions for Home Study
1.
Although neither food nor drink can save us, does
that fact give us liberty to follow our appetite ? Prov.
23 : 1-3.
2.
What does the wise man say regarding wine ?
Prov. 23 : 31, 32.
3.
What should be the rule of life? 1 Cor. 10 : 31.
LESSON IX — Helping the Weak; Glorifying God
MAY
30, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
An example in self-denial
Ques. 1-4;
notes 1, 2
Monday
Purpose of the Scriptures; unity
Ques. 5-8;
notes 3, 4
Tuesday
Glorifying God; the ministry of
Ques. 9-13
Christ
Wednesday
Other prophecies; a blessed ex-
Ques. 14, 15;
perience
notes 5, 6
Thursday
Review of the lesson
Friday
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE :
Rom. 15:1-13.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
27
Questions
1.
What ought the spiritually strong to do? What
ought they not to do ? Verse 1.
2.
What exhortation is given us? What is the end
in view? Verse 2. Note 1.
3.
W hat example is given us in self-denial for others ?
Verse 3, first part. Compare Matt. 16: 24.
4.
What prophecy of Christ is quoted in support of
this? Verse 3, last part; Ps. 69 : 9. Note 2.
5.
What does the apostle declare concerning all the
written Scriptures? Rom. 15 : 4, first clause.
6.
What is the great purpose expressed for which
they were written ? Verse 4, last clause. Note 3.
7.
What prayerful exhortation does the apostle utter?
Verse 5. Note 4.
8.
What will be the result of this unity? Verse 6.
9.
What further exhortation does the apostle give ?
Verse 7.
10.
For what was Jesus our Lord a minister to the
Hebrews ? Verse 8.
11.
How much farther did His ministration reach?
Verse 9, first part.
12.
What scripture is quoted in proof of this 7 Verse
.
9, last part. Compare Ps. 18: 49.
13.
What other scripture is quoted to show that the
good tidings must come to the Gentiles ? Rom. 15 : 10.
Compare Deut. 32: 43.
14.
What further prophecies of our Lord are quoted?
Rom. 15 : 11, 12. Compare Ps. 117: 1; Isa. 11: 10.
Note 5.
28
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
15. For what blessed experience in God's children
does the apostle pray? Verse 13. Note 6.
Notes
1.
"Please his neighbor."—
Not to that neighbor's hurt, but
to that neighbor's good. The Christian is to npbuild his neighbor.
That is one of the purposes of the gifts. Eph. 4:12. This is the
law of God's kingdom,— every one in his .appointed place, every
one working for all others, and each served by all, blessed by all.
Only love can do this.
2.
"It is written."—
The words quoted from this psalm are
addressed to the Father, not to man. But they show that Jesus,
while doing the Father's work, bore in His own person all the
reproaches that men had cast upon the Father. They show that
Jesus pleased not Himself.
3.
"Through patience and comfort of the Scriptures."—
Through the patience and comfort which the Scriptures give, hope
is born and confirmed in the hearts of the children of faith.
"The expression, 'Whatsoever things were written aforetime,'
applies to the
whole ancient Scriptures
(the Old Testament), not
to the prophetic parts only."—
Alford.
4.
Dwell on the clauses of the text —"the God of patience,"
the long-suffering God; "the God of . . . consolation," the com-
forting God; "like-minded one toward another," to build one
another up; not according to the world, or our own limited, im-
perfect way, but "according to Christ Jesus." Then will God
indeed be glorified.
5.
The praise given to God shows how far His salvation ex-
tended, and it included both Jew and Gentile. It all centers in
the Root, our blessed Lord.
6.
"The God of hope."—
The God of patience, or long-suffer-
ing, is also the God of hope, the One from whom all our hopes
spring, in whom they all center. The inspired prayer is God's
"promise to the children of faith. He will fill the believer with
all joy and peace, that hope may abound. The power through
which this is accomplished is that of the Holy Spirit.
Supplementary Questions for Home Study
What are some of the promises made to the fathers?
How many things do they include ? See Gen. 12 : 2, 3 ;
13 : 14, 15; 17 : 1-8 ; 22 : 16-18 ; Rom. 4 : 13 ; Acts 24 : 14,
15 ; Heb. 11 : 8-16 ; Gal. 3 : 29.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
29
LESSON X — Ministering God's Blessings
JUNE 6, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
Paul's regard for the Roman be-
lievers; his duty to them
Ques. 1-3
Monday
The apostle's ministry
Ques. 4-7
Tuesday
Hindrances and desires
Ques. 8-11;
note 1
Wednesday
The apostle's plans
Ques. 12-16;
notes 2,3
Thursday
His
request of the brethren
Ques. 17-21;
Friday
Review of the lesson
note 4
Supplementary Questions
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Rom. 15 :14-33.
Questions
1.
Of what three things was Paul persuaded of the
Roman believers? Verse 14.
2.
How only could they be filled with all goodness
and knowledge Gal. 2 : 20.
3.
What did the apostle feel it necessary to do ?
Rom. 15 : 15.
4.
What kind of work did God expect of him ?
Why ? Verse 16.
5.
In thus serving God, in whom might he glory?
Verse 17.
6.
Of what things only would he speak? Verse 18.
.7. How was the power of God manifest through hini?
What was the result? Verse 19.
8.
What was he ever anxious to do? Verse 20. Note 1.
9.
What scripture evidently urged Paul thus to
work ? Verse 21. Compare Isa. 52 : 15.
10.
What did his work in new fields prevent him
from doing ? Bora. 15 : 22.
30
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
11.
What did he say of his present field of labor ?
What did he long for? Verse 23.
12.
What did the apostle conditionally promise? For
what did he hope Verse 24. Note 2.
13.
What was he then purposing to do ? For what
purpose ? Verse 25. Compare Acts 19 : 21; 20 : 22 ;
24 : 17.
14.
What contributions did he expect to take with
him ? Rom. 15 : 26. Compare 2 Cor. 9 : 1, 2.
15.
With what spirit had the contributions been
made ? Rom. 15 : 27, first clause. Compare 2 Cor. 9 :
11, 12.
16.
What mutual obligation did the apostle mention ?
Rom. 15: 27, last part. Note 3.
17.
After Paul had been to Jerusalem, what did he
purpose to do? Verse 28.
18.
In what fulness of blessing did he expect to
come to them Verse 29.
19.
What did he earnestly ask the brethren to do ?
Verse 30.
20.
For what four things did he wish them to pray ?
Verses 31, 32.
21.
What benediction did he pronounce upon them ?
Verse 33. Note 4.
Notes
•
1. "Another man's f oundation."—
Paul wanted proof from
God for his own labors. He did not care or dare to speak of
others' work, but only of his own. Verse 18. He would lay but
the one foundation, Christ Jesus. 1 Cor. 3:11. Much of the suc-
cess of many evangelists is in building on the foundation laid by
devoted souls who have preceded them. Nearly all apostates who
have "greater light" tarry around churches, endeavoring to split
them, instead of working, and teaching the new theories which
they hold as light, in the new fields.
2.
"Journey into Spain."— It
is a matter of dispute among
scholars as to whether the great apostle ever visited Spain. Such,
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
31
he tells us, was his intention. He did visit Rome, but under far
different circumstances from those he had planned. Yet with him
it was well. Rom. 8:28.
3.
"Debtors they are."— The world looks upon the spiritual
blessings lightly, upon the temporal as of far greater value. Yet
the temporal things perish with the using, the spiritual things are
eternal. Would that God's gifts might be better and more strongly
appreciated. We would then see that even our temporal things are
increased by them.
4.
"Peace."— In turbulent Rome, God's children had need of
peace. In this turbulent world, how much we need the "God of
peace" at all times! But this is the legacy which the blessed
Saviour left for His people here in the world. John 14:27.
Supplementary Questions for Home Study
1.
What mighty wonders is God's gospel now work-
ing?
2.
What is the mightiest miracle it has wrought in
you?
3.
What power is manifest in this scripture? 2 Cor.
5 : 17.
LESSON XI — Greetings and Uviity
JUNE 13, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
Phebe commended
Ques. 1, 2;
note 1
Monday
Priscilla and Aquila
Ques. 3, 4;
note 2
Tuesday
Other workers mentioned
Qum 5-8;
notes 3, 4
Wednesday
A warning against deceivers
Ques. 9,10;
note 5
Thursday
Words of courage to the be-
Ques. 11, 12;
lievers
note 6
Friday
Review of the lesson
LESSON SCRIPTURE
: Rom. 16:1-20.
Questions
1.
Whom did Paul commend to the church at Rome?
Verse 1. Note 1.
32
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
2.
What did he ask them to do for her ? Why ?
Verse 2.
3.
What two other laborers does Paul next name ?
Verse 3. Note 2.
4.
What reasons does he give as to why they were
worthy of honor? Verse 4.
5.
Who are next mentioned Verses 5-7. Note 3.
6.
What other workers unknown to us does he name?
Verses 8-15. Note 4.
7.
Against what class did the apostle warn the
church? Verse 17.
8.
What were the characteristics of these persons ?
Verse 18. Compare Phil. 3 : 19.
9.
What could he say of the church in Rome ? Rom.
16: 19, first part. Note 5.
10.
Yet while the apostle rejoiced in this, what did
he wish? Verse 19, last part.
11.
What assurance of triumph does the apostle give
them? Verse 20, first part. Note 6.
12.
What benediction does he pronounce upon them ?
Verse 20, last part.
Notes
1.
"Cenchrea" was the eastern part of Corinth, about nine
miles distant. It seems to have been a town of considerable im-
portance in thd apostle's day. It is now known as Kichries.
Phebe was a servant, or deaconess, at Cenchrea, and may well have
been the bearer of this epistle. Pliny, in his letter to the emperor
Trajan, speaks of two Christian handmaids whom he tortured, and
whom he declares were called
ministree,
or deaconesses.
2.
Priscilla and Aquila were among the strong lay helpers of
the gospel. Priscilla seems to have been the more prominent, as
her name is sometimes mentioned first. Paul first met them at
Corinth. Acts 18:2. They were natives of Pontus, and went with
Paul to Ephesus. Here they instructed Apollos in the truth.
They then went to Rome, and later returned to Ephesus. They
had gathered in Rome a church which met in their own house.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
33
3.
EpEenetus, according to the Revised Version, was of Asia
instead of Achaia. We know naught of these persons only as they
are here mentioned by the apostle. It was good to know that
Paul had relatives in Rome, who accepted the truth before he
did, consequently were known to the apostles. Junia was prob-
ably the wife of Andronicus.
4.
Of this list of Christians (verses 8-15) we know naught,
save that Rufus is supposed to be the son of Simon of Cyrene.
Mark 15:21. The mother of Rufus seems also to have been like
a mother to Paul, one of the mothers whom Paul found by fol-
lowing Christ. Mark 10:29, 30. But all God's unknown workers
are recorded on high. The mention of these shows how Paul re-
garded individually his personal helpers.
5.
Rome was then the center of the world. All information
went out more readily from Rome to all parts of the empire than
from any other, center. Churches elsewhere became greatly in-
terested in the believers who were under the shadow of the palace
of the Cmsars. The apostle did not wish them to be wise in wick-
edness, but to know naught of it. We do not need to study
counterfeits to know the genuine, but we do need to know the
genuine that we may discern at once the counterfeit.
6.
A renewal, in promise, of the prophecy made 4,000 years
before. Gen. 3:15. At the very longest, the triumph of evil will
soon be over. The light afflictions are for a moment, the triumph
is an eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:17.
LESSON XII —The Obedience of Faith
JUNE
20, 1914
DAILY STUDY OTJTLINE
Sunday
Salutations
times. 1-3;
notes 1,2
Monday
Benediction; believers established
ques. 4-7
Tuesday
A mystery
Fixes. 8-10;
note 3
Wednesday
The mystery revealed
(tiles. 11-14;
note 4
Thursday
Obedience made possible; the
tallef4.
15-17;
closing verse
note 5
Friday
Review of the lesson
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Rom. 16:21-27.
34
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
Questions
1.
What fellow worker and friend of Paul sent greet-
ing to the church at Rome ? Verse 21. Note 1.
2.
Who wrote the epistle for Paul ? What did he
say ? Verse 22.
3.
What others sent salutations ? Verse 23. Note 2.
4.
What benediction did the apostle repeat? Verse 24.
5.
What did he say God is able to do? Verse 25,
first clause.
6.
By what are we established ? 2 Chron. 20 : 20 ;
Heb. 13 : 9.
7.
According to what does God establish us ? Rom.
16: 25, last part.
8.
How was the mystery kept in times past? Verse
25, last part. Note 3.
9.
In what sense was the gospel kept secret? Eph.
3 : 5, 6.
10.
What had been the condition of the unbelieving
Gentile world ? Eph. 2 : 12.
11.
When and in whom was the mystery of the gos-
pel made fully manifest? Rom. 16 : 26, first clause.
Compare John 1 : 14.
12.
By what is it made known to us ? Rom. 16 : 26,
second clause.
13.
According to what is this mystery made known ?
To whom? Verse 26, third clause.
14.
For what purpose is it made known ? Verse 26,
last part. Note 4.
15.
How only is obedience possible ? Gal. 5 : 6 ;
1 John 5 : 3.
16.
To whom is the glory of all this revelation as-
cribed ? Through whom ? Rom. 16 : 27.
17.
What is the closing word? Verse 27. Note 5.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
35
Notes
1.
Timotheus we know as Timothy, Paul's "son in the faith"
and fellow worker. For Lucius see Acts 13:1; Jason, Acts 17:5;
Sopater, Acts 20:4. The identity of none of these is certain, but
probable.
2.
Gains is mentioned in 1 Cor. 1:14 as having been baptized
by Paul. The word rendered "chamberlain" seems to refer to
treasurer, and it is so rendered by Alford and others. This shows
that the gospel had reached high official circles.
3.
God's great plan of salvation is not new. Sin did not take
Him by surprise. All the efforts of Satan against the govern-
ment of heaven have made more glorious God's love and mercy.
The death of Jesus, designed of the evil one to destroy the king-
dom of God, in God's wisdom opened up and revealed such depths
of God's love as amazed the universe. The silence of the ages
burst into an eternal song of praise.
4.
"Obedience."— This is the purpose of the gospel. The
"obedience of faith," the trusting, loving obedience of the child
to a father worthy to be loved. If the gospel fails in this, it
fails of its purpose. But, praise God, it never fails.'
5.
Amen.—` `Yea," "verily," "it is true." It is a Hebrew
word meaning
firm, constant, certain, sure.
It affirms the truth
of what is spoken. Let it be in us, all that God designs in this
epistle, in Christ Jesus. For "all the promises of God in Him
are yea, and in Him Amen."
LESSON XIII — Review
JUNE 27, 1914
DAILY STUDY OUTLINE
Sunday
Righteousness, but how?
Lessons 1 and 2 —
election by grace
Rom. 10: 1 to 11: 18
Monday
"The fulness
,
' of Jew and
Lessons 3 and 4 —
Tuesday
Gentile• a living sacrifice
'
Duties
an
d privileges; duty
Rom.
11
:
19
to 12: S
Lessons 5 and 6 —
toward
governments;
last-day warnings
Rom. 12: 9 to 13: 14
Wednesday
To his own master; Judge
Lessons 7 and S —
not; the call of faith
Romans 14
Thursday
Helping the weak; glorify-
Lessons 9 and 10 —
ing God; ministering God's
blessings
Romans 15
Friday
Greetings and unity;
Lessons 11 and 12 —
the obedience of faith
Romans 16
LESSON REVIEW, CHAPTERS 10 TO 16.
36
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
Questions
LESSON I. Why did the Jews not find righteous-
ness? What is the end, or object, of the law? How is
the obtaining of righteousness described? To how many
is it offered? Romans 10.
LESSON II. Give proof that the Lord did not cast
off His people. How only do Jews or Gentiles become
the true Israel of God? In whom is the fulness of both
Jew and Gentile found? Rom. 11 : 1-18.
LESSON III. Why were the Hebrew branches broken
off ? What assurance is given concerning the gifts and
calling of God? What is said concerning the wisdom of
God ? Rom. 11: 19-36.
LESSON IV. What earnest exhortation does the
apostle give ? How do we become members of the body ?
How, and for what purpose, are the gifts bestowed ?
Name some of these gifts. In what order are they pre-
sented by the apostle? Rom. 12 : 1-8.
LESSON V. How is love manifested? To what should
we cleave ? What should we abhor ? Repeat some of the
injunctions of chapter 12. What should be our attitude
toward an enemy ? Rom. 12 : 9-21.
LESSON VI. What should be our attitude toward
civil powers? What is said of those who resist the civil
authority? When the civil power interferes between
us and our duty to God, what should we do ? Of what
is love the fulfilling? How is love summed up? What
should those do who know the times ? Romans 13.
LESSON VII. How should we treat those weak in the
faith? What rebuke is given those who judge others?
To whom is each accountable ? What is said of our in-
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
37
fluence ? To whom do we all belong ? What did our
salvation cost ? Before what solemn tribunal must we
all stand ? Rom. 14 : 1-12.
LESSON VIII. Of what was the apostle persuaded?
In what does the kingdom of God not consist? What
principles sum up the kingdom ? Who alone should be
directed by our individual faith? What brings con-
demnation ? Rom. 14 : 13-23.
LESSON IX. What should those do who are strong
spiritually? For what purpose are the Scriptures writ-
ten ? What strong exhortation does the apostle give ?
What will be the result of unity ? Rom. 15 : 1-13.
LESSON X. Of what was Paul persuaded in refer-
ence to the Roman believers? Of what was he a min-
ister? What did Paul purpose to do after he had been
to Jerusalem ? What earnest exhortation did he give the
brethren ? What benediction did he pronounce upon
them ? Rom. 15 : 14-33.
LESSON XI. Name some of the persons commended
by Paul to the church at Rome. Against what class is
a. warning given ? Rom. 16 : 1-20.
LESSON XII. Who wrote the epistle to the Romans
.for Paul? By what are we established? What mys-
tery is mentioned? In what sense was the gospel kept
secret ? How was it fully manifested ? To what does
the gospel bring men ? Rom. 16 : 21-27.
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